Improved apparatus for making paper articles



Wein emes: 71 WMM i a i TATE Afrnrrr @Fr-IGEL HARRISON GRAMBO, OFPHLADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR MAKING` PAPER ARTICLES:`

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 7 1,742, dated December3, 1867.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LHARRISON GRAMBO, of the city and county ofPhiladelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have made a certain new anduseful Device for Manufacturing Articles from Paper-Pulp; and I dohereby declare the following to be a clear and exact description of thenature thereof, sufficient to enable others skilled in the art to whichmy invention appertains to fully understand. and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, making' part of thisspecification, in which- Figures l and 2 are side views of the deviceillustrating.;` `my invention. Fig. 3 is a plan or top view thereof.Fig. 4 is a central vertical section of the former and the partsimmediately connected therewith. Fig. 5 is a central transverse verticalsection of the blocking mechanism.

Similar letters of reference indicatelcorrespending parts in the severalfigures.

My invention has for its object a device for making 'various articlesfrom paper-pulp by continuous operations; and consists, first, in meansfor preparing the pulp and feeding it to a former; second, in a noveland peculiar former; third, in the blocking mechanism; fourth, in theflocking device; fifth, in the hollow drying v and finishing cylinder,and, in connection therewith, the various gearing and parts necessaryfor the proper operation of the device, as. will be hereinafter morefully described.

In the drawings, A represents the foundation or bed-frame, from one endof which rise standards or legs B, supporting a vat, tub, or hopper, C,of ordinary form and construction.

Within the vat are arms a, secured to a re volving shaft, b, whose lowerbearing is in the bottom of the vat, and its upper bearing in across-piece, c, resting on the vat. The upper end of said shaft hassecured to it a bevel-gear, d, meshing with a similar wheel, d', on ahorizontal shaft, e, which is supported i Lon ears f, resting on thecross-piece c, and having a pulley, y, at lts outer end, by which motionis communicated tothe arms a through the medium of belts or bandspassing around a pulley, g', secured to a shaft, h, which is` mounted onthe legs B, and has on its opposite end a pulley, g, receiving motionfrom a pulley, g, secured to the driving-shaft D at the opposite end ofthe bed-frame A.

An eccentric, h', is mounted on the shaft lz., between the pulley g andthe leg B, and carries a yoke, hf', which has a series of projectingarms, to one of which is pivoted a vertical rod, c', whose upper end ispivoted to a bell-crank, fi', secured to the vat C. A horizontal rod orshaft, fl, is pivoted to the other end of the bell-crank, and also toone end of an interlacer, E.

F represents a suction and force pump, suitably supported on thebed-frame A, whose valve-rod j is operated bythe yoke h" of theeccentric h'.

k k are pipes or tubes, one of which, k, communicates with the vat A,and the other, k', with the agitator and feed-box G, which is mountedand secured above the interlacer E. The box G consists of a suitablereceptacle or chamber having a central sliding partition, which israised and lowered by means of a set-screw, A', and divides the box intotwo compartments, in one of which is an agitator, l, mounted in thesides of the box. The other compartment is unoccupied, and has at itsupper end a nose, spout, or lip, l', which hangs over the interlacer.The tw`o compartments communicate. The partition is of smaller size thanthe depth of the box Gr, and limits the flow or feed of pulp to theinterlacer.

Power is communicated to the agitator l by means of a pulley, gm', onits shaft, by any suitable attachment.

The interlacer E consists of a pan or tray` of gauze or network havingone end pivoted to a frame-work, l, which is supported on a shaft, on',bearing a revolving frame or wheel, H, and resting 011 standards B',rising on the bed-frame A.

The pivoted end of the interlacer has a projecting arm, c', by which itreceives its motion through the medium of the horizontal shaft i andbell-crank li. The opposite end of the interlacer has a circularopening, a, through which protrudes a crankshaft or windlass, n',mounted 011 an ear or lug, n", secured to the vat, or otherwise. Fromthe lower end of this shaft is suspended the former I, of conical form,whose base is at the lower side upper arms, o', of which limit the playof thel interlacer, and the lower ones, o", carry ringsor frames J I(represents a iiexible former of the form.

of an inverted truncated cone, whose widest part, corresponding to thebase, is rmly secured between the rings J. The truncated end is below,and has secured to it cords p p, which pass through perforations in thearms o o', and have their other ends connected to the windlass a',whereby the truncated end can be contracted and expanded when desired.

H is a revolving frame or ring, consisting of two disks',`mounted on theshaft m of the standard B', and carries the blocking` mechanism L, whichis pivoted between the disks, Figs. 1 and 5.

The blocking mechanism consists of au open box or frame, L', at thebottom of which is a gauze former, M, for the article to be made, and,in the present case, is of the form of a hat.

' N is the block, made in sections, and corresponding in size and shapewith .the former M. The sections slide within the box, and are adaptedto readily open `and close.

The blocking mechanism or blocker has gudgeons p mounted on boxessecured to the disks of the frame H, and freely rotating thereon.

The -top and bottom of one side of the box L have projections .mt-f,extendn g partly across the width of the box.

From one side of the standard B' there rises a right-angular arm, q,having a notch, q.

When the wheel is in motion and'theblocker reaches the arm the lowerprojection strikes it and causes the blocker to make aquarterrevolution, when the upper projection will enter the notch andcause a similar revolution. It will be noticed that the gauze side ofthe box L is now on the upper or top side. Suitable or correspox'idingmechanism is likewise arranged to cause the box to return to its normalposition.

O is a pump or bellows, which is supported from the frame-work L, and isarranged relative to the position of the blocker L in the revolvingwheel H.

N represents the mold or block cylinder, which is hollow, and having onits upper face a series of openings, r, which receive metallic molds ,ofthe shape, pattern, or fashion of the hat or article intended. to beadmitted into this cylinder in any .proper manner. j

The lower face has a circular rack, which is operated by a revolvingtoothed segment, P, secured to the main or driving shaft D, whosebearings are on the bed-frame or foundation A. The cylinder has thusimparted to it an intermittent motion, and is supported on friction-Steam or hot air is rollers and held by guides t, whereby it is iirmlyand evenly guided during rotation.

R. represents a frame rising from the foundation A, having a series ofset-screws, S, arranged in -semicular form over the'l cylinder N and inline therewith, and having swiveled arms u, carrying cani-rollers T,which are intended to bear against the hat or article made while restingin the molds in the openings 1'.

From a proper portion of the frame-work l" there projects the ,flockingdevice U, consisting of a receiver having a gauze or sieve bottom,against which bears arevolving brush, V. The flocking, consisting ofground shoddy or other suitable material, is placed within the receiver,and a swift motion is imparted to the brush, so as to force and sift orpowder the unfinished hat beneath it.

The parts heretoforel described may be variously arranged andconstructed, and may:l have power applied in the best manner-possibleother than stated, and I therefore do not Vlimit myself to what isshown.

The operation is as follows: The pulp is first placed within the vat C,and subjected to seating and agitation by the arms c, which revolve atordinary speed. The pump F,vnow being in operation, will suck or drawthe pulp from the vat C into the boxG through the pipes 7s lc. The pulpwill-enter the box G in the compartment over the agitator I, and besubjected to the swift revolutions ,of said agitator, whereby the pulpbecomes smooth and uniform in consistency.

The central partition in the box leaves an opening atthe bottom, wherebythe two cornpartments communicate and allow the prepared pulp to enterthe unoccupied compart ment. The continual supply thereto will raise thequantity in the compartment,` so as to overflow and be discharged by thelip or spout L on the interlacer. A reciprocating mot-ion is imparted tot-he interlaeerby means of the rods t' and fi" and bell-crank t" and theeccentric h on shaft h. f ihis shakingmotion causes all superfluouswater to flow through the meshes of the gauze bottom of the interlacer,and to move or feed the pulp to theopening a, at the free end of theinterlacer.

The pulp llows in a sheet through the opening and around the cone I,whence it is separated and assumes the form of a tube or cylinder, andcontinues in this form through the flexible formerK. The bottom of thisformer is previously expanded to the size ofthe brim of the hat to beformed by means ofthe cords 1) and the windlass u.

So soon as a portion of the pulp tube or cylinder has passed the bottomof the former K, this bottom is contracted so as to reduce in diameterthe subsequent portions of they tube, and thereby form the brim and bodyot' the hat; and when a further quantity, equal to the height of thehat, shall have passed through the former K its bottom is entirelyclosed, so as to cut oft the supply, and thus form the top of the hat.The bottom is immediately to -be expanded, ready for the repetition ofthe same process as above.

The Windlass a and cords p are the operating mediums for the variousmanipulations of the iexible former.

Theblocks N being opened, the rough hat, as formed, now drops on thegauze former M, and the blocks N close thereon. The wheel L, revolving,will carry the blocker L to the arm q, which, with its notch q', willcause the blocker to make a half-turn and present the gauze bottomuppermost, which is then carried under the pump O, when a blast of airbeing directed against said bottom will blow `or force oft' the hat fromthe gauze former M,

whence it will drop into the iron molds in the openin gs r in the drying-cylinder N, into which steam or hot air has been previously admitted.

A series of blockers, L, will be placed on the wheel H, and alwaysreceive the hat as it falls from the iiexible former K. The blockers Lwill continue moving with the wheel and be again turned, and the blocksN opened to receive in their turn the hat intended for it.

The intermittent motion imparted to the cylinder N by the segment P willbring one of the openings 0' under the air-pump every time that one ofthe blocks L reaches the same spot. Anintermittent motion is likewiseimparted to the wheel H by the pylinder N, or in any other suitablemanner.

The hats now resting in the molds in the openings r will gradually dry,during which they will be subjected to the pressure of the rollers T ofthe set screws S, and thus be brought into the proper shape or form.

After leaving the series of rollers the hats are withdrawn, and are thenready for trimming, binding, and tinishing.

Should it be desired to produce a hat cov ered with Hocking, or felted,the various processes heretofore described are necessary, exceptin g theoverturning of the blocker by the arms q and notch q.

When the blocker arrives under the iiocker U the blocks N are opened,and the brush V revolves at arapid rate. The flocking is forced throughthe sieve-bottom of the receiver U, and is sitted and powdered orshowered over the hat, which, being moist, allows the shoddy or flockingto adhere to it. The hat thus prepared is then carried under theair-pump, and, the blocker being meanwhile turned, the'hat is blown offand into the drying-cylinder, as has been explained in the previousoperation.

It is necessary that the metallic molds in the cylinder should haveplaced Within them an elastic bag, which shall rest on the hat. A rigidplate is then passed over the bag, and the whole subjected to thepressure of the camrollers. These rollers may be geared so as to havecontinuous motion, and thus make a uniform pressure.

It is intended that the cam-rollers shall exert the greatest pressure atthe middle of the rigid plate.

The setscrews allowthe ready adjustment of the pressure-rollers to anydesired degree. These rollers shall press lightly at one end of theseries, and -gradually increase as the molds advance with the cylinder.

The swivel-arms allow the rollers to be placed in line with thecurvature of the cylinder. By these means the hat or other article isforced into every part of its mold, and therefore obtains its full andperfect form.

The various parts may be differently arranged, and the power becommunicated in any suitable manner other than that described. Itherefore do not limit myself thereto, nor to the material, for wood andmetal will be enr- Vployed, as is found expedient. V

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters.

Patent, is-

1. Forming articles from paper-pulp complete by continuous operations,substantially as described.

2. The feed and agitator box G, substantially' as described, for thepurpose specified.

3. The interlacer E, substantially as dcscribed, for the purposespecified.

4. The cone I and flexible former K, substantially as described, `forthe purpose specified.

5. The cords p and windlass a', or equivalents, in combination with theformer K I,

substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

6. The blocking mechanism L M N, substantially as described, for thepurpose speciied.

7. The drying and pressing cylinder N', in combination with the blockingmechanism L and blast apparatus 0, substantially as described, for thepurpose specified.

8. The flocking device UV, substantially as .as described, for thepurpose specified.

9. The series of setscrcws S, arranged in circular form, carryingca1n-rollers T on swivelarms a, for the purpose substantially as described.

10. The combination and arrangement of the various devices and partsherein described, or their equivalents, operating in the manner and forlthe purpose substantially as described.

To the above I have signed my name this 4th day of October, 1867.

HARRISON GRAMBO.

Witnesses JOHN A. Wrnnnnsnnnu, J W. HAMPTON, Jr.

